Sec. 517. Ensuring a vibrant agricultural sector through the creation of a land tenure commission
345 words·~2 min read·
/bill/115/hr/4425/ih/section-517A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a commission to be known as the Land Tenure Commission (in this section referred to as the Commission ). The Commission shall be comprised of 10 members who shall be appointed by the Secretary for a term of 3 years in accordance with paragraph (2). The Commission members shall include one representative from each the following categories: The Farm Service Agency. The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
State programs focused on land tenure. Private nonprofit organizations with active land tenure programs. The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Community colleges or other institutions of higher education with demonstrated experience in land tenure issues. Other entities or persons providing lending for, or technical assistance regarding, land tenure. Beginning farmers and ranchers. Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Veteran farmers and ranchers.
Retiring or retired farmers and ranchers. The Secretary of Agriculture may reappoint members of the Commission to a subsequent 3-year term. Members of the Commission may not receive any compensation. The Secretary of Agriculture shall make appointments to fill vacancies on the Commission as soon as practicable after the vacancy has occurred. The Commission shall— advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues involving access to land, farm business transition, and land tenure, including trends in ownership and the status of farmland ownership; with respect to the Commission’s activities, coordinate and consult with entities involved with farmland ownership and operation; appoint technical advisors, comprised of representatives from the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the Department of Agriculture, not-for-profit organizations that assist farmers and ranchers transitioning in and out of agricultural business, and farm succession planners with expertise in the field; and focus efforts of Federal agency staff and programs toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to Congress that includes— a summary of the activities of the Commission; and recommendations with respect to access to land, farm business transition, and land tenure, including recommendations for Federal policy changes.